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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 22
BY REPRESENTATIVE COX
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Daniel Thomas "Tom"
Murchison of Natchitoches
A RESOLUTION1
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Daniel2
Thomas "Tom" Murchison of Natchitoches.3
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the4
House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana learned of the death of Daniel5
Thomas "Tom" Murchison of Natchitoches on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at the age of6
seventy-five; and7
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison was born on October 26, 1936, in Memphis, Tennessee,8
the first child of Dan and Margaret Murchison; and9
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison spent his childhood in Sikeston, Missouri, and graduated10
from Sikeston High School in 1955 before moving to Jackson, Tennessee, and receiving his11
bachelor of arts degree from Union University in 1959; and 12
WHEREAS, while studying at Union University, Mr. Murchison met the love of his13
life, Vicki Jean Dillow, who he married on September 10, 1960, and with whom he shared14
the rest of his life; and15
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison served his country with six months of active service in16
the United Stated Army and six years in the Army Reserve, obtaining the rank of Captain17
in the Judge Advocate General Corps; and18
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison graduated from Tulane University School of Law in19
1962, where he distinguished himself and earned many accolades, including graduating first20
in class in the common law curriculum, being inducted into the Order of the Coif, serving21 HLS 12RS-2127 ORIGINAL
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as managing editor of and authoring an article in the Tulane Law Review, and winning the1
Edwin Mahoney Award for Excellence in Criminal Law; and2
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison had a long and productive career as an attorney,3
beginning with his work at Watson, Williams and Brittain in Natchitoches, which later4
changed its name to Watson, Murchison, Crews, Arthur and Corkern, and ending at5
Murchison and Murchison, LLC, which he established with his son, Tommy, and Robert6
Owsley; and7
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison served the people of Natchitoches effectively as8
assistant city attorney from 1966 until 1973, and then city attorney from 1973 until 2004, in9
addition to serving the people of Louisiana as a voting member of the Louisiana State Law10
Institute for many years; and11
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison found an outlet to share his wisdom and expertise in12
teaching real estate, business law, and successions and trusts at Northwestern State13
University; and 14
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison's talent and dedication led the Young Lawyer Division15
of the Louisiana State Bar Association to name him the "Outstanding Young Lawyer of16
Louisiana" in 1973, while his giving spirit, which he channeled to the people of Louisiana17
through pro bono services, merited his recognition by both Kisatchie Legal Services and the18
Louisiana State Bar Association; and19
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison was a member of many legal societies, including the20
Louisiana State Bar Association, where he served on the Law Reform Committee,21
Natchitoches Parish Bar Association, American Judicature Society, American College of22
Probate Counsel, and Kisatchie Legal Services, where he served on the board of directors;23
and24
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison was a member of and officer for many civic25
organizations, including the Natchitoches Parish Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Jaycees,26
the Lions Club, and the Northwestern State University Booster Club; he was named Man of27
the Year in 1985 by the Natchitoches Parish Chamber of Commerce; and 28
WHEREAS, in addition to being an accomplished lawyer and public servant, Mr.29
Tom Murchison was a man of faith; he was ordained a deacon in 1985; and30 HLS 12RS-2127 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, in 1963, Mr. Murchison and his wife, Vicki, became members of First1
Baptist Church, where he served many years as a youth Sunday School teacher, cofounded2
the Couples Too class, and was involved in Youth Ministries, coaching basketball and track,3
and assisting with the Royal Ambassador program; and4
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison was a baseball enthusiast whose love of and self-5
identification with the St. Louis Cardinals, who won thirteen pennants and eight World6
Series during his lifetime, was so strong that he often found himself in fights with the team's7
manager and considered members of the team to be his friends; and8
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison's love of baseball and his sons led him to be a fixture9
of local youth baseball and to cofound Natchitoches Area Dixie Youth, Inc., through which10
he coached many teams and established a legacy as a statistician; and11
WHEREAS, throughout his illustrious life, Mr. Murchison developed and maintained12
many friendships with people he met during childhood, college, law school, and while13
practicing law, attending church, and sporting events; his amiable personality allowed him14
to make friends with almost anyone, especially those who would listen to his stories; and15
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison was as well known for speaking at length about his16
children and grandchildren, the Civil War, the Bible, and baseball as he was known for his17
bow tie and ever-present cigar; and18
WHEREAS, in addition to being a patriot, lawyer, teacher, coach, deacon, and dear19
friend of many, Mr. Murchison was a family man who prioritized his wife and children20
above all else; and 21
WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison is survived by his wife, Vicki, three sons, Daniel T.22
"Tommy" Murchison, Jr., and his wife Gretchen, Timothy Glenn "Tim" Murchison and23
William Tyler Murchison and his wife Sally; grandchildren, Garrett Wayne Murchison,24
Daniel Jacob Murchison, Katherine Victoria Murchison, Anna Grace Murchison, Ava25
Margaret Murchison, Henry Ian Murchison, and Farrah Elizabeth Murchison; sisters, Dr.26
Lynne Murchison and Judy Kirby and her husband James; brother-in-law, Kip Dillow and27
his wife Linda; nieces, Amie Ramsey, Chandra Dillow, and Summer Bacon; nephews,28
Matthew Kirby, Andrew Kirby, and Kipper Dillow; and his dear friend, whom he considered29
family, Patricia Payne; and30 HLS 12RS-2127 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Mr. Murchison is also survived and will be missed by his beloved work1
family at Murchison & Murchison, LLC, especially the women of the firm, Jenny Settle,2
Lynn Pierson, Sarah O’Bannon, Rachel Blanchard, and Hilary Goff; and3
WHEREAS, faith, family, and friends were the most important things in Mr.4
Murchison's life, and he never lost any of them; and 5
WHEREAS, with the death of Mr. Murchison, Louisiana has lost one of her finest6
citizens, a gentleman of many gifts and talents, who has left an indelible mark on the lives7
of those he touched; and8
WHEREAS, although the death of Tom Murchison has left a tremendous void in his9
community, his memory shall live forever in the minds and hearts of all who loved him and10
all who had the pleasure of knowing him.11
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the12
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the13
death of Daniel Thomas "Tom" Murchison of Natchitoches, does hereby record for posterity14
his outstanding accomplishments and singular contributions, and does hereby extend15
enduring appreciation for the tremendous pride and honor that this wonderful man will16
forever bring to his family, friends, community, state, and nation.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted18
to the family of Daniel Thomas "Tom" Murchison.19
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Cox HR No. 22
Expresses condolences upon the death of Daniel Thomas "Tom" Murchison of Natchitoches.